Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
IYRS School of Technology & Trades remains committed to our students' educational progress, despite the challenges they may face from the COVID-19 pandemic. To help support our students’ financial needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, IYRS has provided emergency financial aid Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants to eligible students. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, provides emergency funding to address higher education challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been three rounds of this funding to support students and educational institutions.
HEERF I (CARES Act) The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or CARES Act, was passed by Congress on March 27, 2020.
HEERF II (CRRSA) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, or CRRSA Act, and was signed into law on December 27, 2020.
HEERF III (ARP) was authorized under the American Rescue Plan and was signed into law on March 11, 2021.
HEERF 1
HEERF 1 Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive a HEERF grant, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Title IV eligible. A student does not need to be a Title IV recipient, but they do need to be eligible to receive federal student aid. Although the USDE does not require a FAFSA, this is the most practical way to determine whether a student is Title IV eligible. Title IV eligibility requirements as defined by Section 484 of the Higher Education Act are as follows:
o Student is enrolled and accepted for enrollment in a financial aid approved degree or certificate program.
o Student has a high school diploma or GED.
o Student meets satisfactory academic progress, as applicable.
o Student does not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
o Student is not in default on a Title IV loan.
o Student, as part of the financial aid application process, filed a certification that includes a statement of educational purpose and social security number.
o Student has a verified security number.
o Student is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen.
o Student returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
o Student has not fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
o Student repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
o Student registered with Selective Service, as applicable.
o Student does not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations
2. Have incurred new expenses as a result of school closures due to COVID-19. These additional expenses must be the result of new arrangements – such as food, housing, healthcare, childcare costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students receive HEERF grants?
International and Undocumented Students: The USDE’s April 21 guidance states that students must meet Title IV eligibility requirements in order to receive HEERF-student share funds. Therefore, international and undocumented students are not eligible to receive emergency grants.
Can students in online programs receive HEERF grants?
Students who were enrolled exclusively in online programs on March 13 (the date of President Trump's national emergency proclamation) are not eligible for HEERF-student share funds, per USDE's April 21 guidance.
What can HEERF grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can be used for food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, childcare.
Award Amounts
These funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant amounts range from $1,230-2,250 and are based on a student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the information on provided on the 2019-20 FAFSA.
|
Amount |
|
|
0 |
$2,750 |
|
1-5576 |
$2,250 |
|
5577+ |
$1,450 |
| Total Amount Awarded to Institution | $27,460 |
| Total Amount of Grants Distributed | $27,400 |
| Total Number of Students Receiving Grants | 14 |
| *Information reported as of 8/5/20 |
Disbursement of Funds
IYRS’ Business Office will be in touch with students regarding payment.
U.S. Department of Education Reporting
Total number of applications: 14
Total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant: 14
Total amount distributed to students: $27,400
HEERF 2
HEERF II
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act
December 2020
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and
Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on
December 27, 2020. This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education funding to distribute to
institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the
HEERF II. The CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding provide the same amount in financial
aid grants to students from the new CRRSA Act funds that it was required to provide under its original
CARES Act (HEERF I) Student Aid portion award.
Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions have
the responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each
student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to
students about the grant.
HEERF II Emergency Grant Requirements
Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the
student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food,
housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The HEERF II (CRRSA Act) grant requires
that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell
Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell grant recipients or students who are eligible for
Pell grants.
IYRS School of Technology & Trades acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the
Department of Education the certification and agreement for HEERF II Funds under the Coronavirus
Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA). IYRS has used, or intends to use, the
mandated amount equal to the same dollar amount on student grants for HEERF II (CRRSA) student
funding as they were required to spend under the HEERF I (CARES Act) funding to provide emergency
student grants.
Eligibility
IYRS has prioritized using HEERF II (CRRSA) federal emergency grants to help high need students reduce
the amount of Title IV student loans needed to cover any costs associated with the cost of
attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health
care (including mental health care), or childcare. These grants will be awarded to students enrolled in
the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023 sessions.
The U.S. Department of Education reiterates its stance that DACA, undocumented, and international
students are not eligible for the HEERF II (CRRSA) federal emergency grant aid.
Distribution of Funds
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has received and will distribute $27,460 in emergency grants for
eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic that meet the eligibility
requirements.
IYRS will begin distributing grants in May 2023 to eligible students with Title IV student loans
associated with the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as
tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The amount of these
grants will be $3,232.50 for students who have more than $10,000 in Title IV student loans, $2,771 for
student who have $8,000 - $9,999 in Title IV student loans, $1,846 for students with $5000 - $7,999 in
Title IV student loans, and $1,200 for students with less than $5,000 in Title IV student loans,
HEERF II grant funds will not be applied to a student’s billing account even if there is an outstanding
balance. These funds will be refunded via a check to the student.
HEERF 3
HEERF III
American Rescue Plan (ARP)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan
(ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing support to institutions of higher
education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. This new law gives the U.S. Department of
Education funding to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and
respond to coronavirus through the HEERF III.
Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions have
the responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each
student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to
students about the grant.
HEERF III Emergency Grant Requirements
Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the
student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food,
housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The HEERF III (ARP) grant requires that
institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.
However, students do not need to be only Pell grant recipients or students who are eligible for Pell
grants. Additionally, students do not need to file a FAFSA or be eligible for Title IV funds in order to be
eligible for the ARP grant.
IYRS School of Technology & Trades acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the
Department of Education the certification and agreement for HEERF III Funds under the American
Rescue Plan (ARP). IYRS has used, or intends to use, at least 50% of their total allotment for student
grants.
Eligibility
Students who are enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency
are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from the HEERF III, regardless of whether they completed
a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are eligible for Title IV aid. IYRS has prioritized
using HEERF III (ARP) federal emergency grants to help high need students reduce the amount of Title
IV student loans needed to cover any costs associated with the cost of attendance or for emergency
costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health
care), or childcare. These grants will be awarded to students enrolled in the Fall of 2022 and Spring of
2023 sessions.
Distribution of Funds
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has received and will distribute $59,338 in emergency grants for
eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic that meet the eligibility
requirements.
IYRS will begin distributing grants in May 2023 to eligible students with Title IV student loans
associated with the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as
tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The amount of these
grants will be $3,232.50 for students who have more than $10,000 in Title IV student loans, $2,771 for
student who have $8,000 - $9,999 in Title IV student loans, $1,846 for students with $5000 - $7,999 in
Title IV student loans, and $1,200 for students with less than $5,000 in Title IV student loans,
HEERF III grant funds will not be applied to a student’s billing account even if there is an outstanding
balance. These funds will be refunded via a check to the student.